Contents

Overview

The Worst Witch was released in 1986 on Central Independent Television and HBO. It is based on the children's book by Jill Murphy. The film follows the plot of the 1974 book, portraying the incidents of when Mildred turns herself invisible and transforms Ethel into a pig, Miss Cackle's notorious twin sister Agatha plotting to take over the Academy, and the Grand Wizard viewing the Halloween Broomstick formation (sabotaged by Ethel's faulty broom which she lent to Mildred).

VHS and DVD releases

Prism Entertainment released the Worst Witch television movie on VHS October 19, 1994. It was also released by Reel Corporation in 2000. Bfs Entertainment re-released the film on video on December 28, 1999 and on DVD August 24, 2004.

Quotes

The Worst Witch VHS Cover

Ethel Hallow: You sure you know how to play Terror Tag?

Mildred Hubble: Everyone knows how to play Terror Tag.Ethel Hallow: You're not everyone.

Grand Wizard: Now, Mildred, have you made any plans for this unexpected holiday?Mildred Hubble: No, Grand Wizard. I suppose I'd better practice my flying.Grand Wizard: Would you like to practice with me?Mildred Hubble: With you?Grand Wizard: Oh, absolutely.

Mildred Hubble: Imagine kissing that.Maud Warlock: Imagine kissing HB.Miss Hardbroom: [appearing from nowhere] Is that so?
[the girls shriek]Miss Hardbroom: I would think, after your disastrous performances today, you should be hardly be spreading disgusting gossip about matters which do not concern you.Mildred Hubble: Yes Miss Hardbroom.Miss Hardbroom: And you had both pay much more attention to your studies, if you ever hope to graduate from this institution. The finest witching academy in the world.Mildred Hubble, Maud Warlock: Yes Miss Hardbroom!Miss Hardbroom: Now go back to bed.
[they dive under the covers]Miss Hardbroom: Pleasant nightmares.

[Mildred and Maud have accidentally made themselves invisible]Miss Hardbroom: Have you any idea what you did wrong Mildred?Maud Warlock: It was my fault Miss Hardbroom.Mildred Hubble: No, it was my fault Miss Hardbroom.Miss Hardbroom: I don't care whose fault it was. Sit still until you reappear!

Miss Hardbroom: I've been quite hard on you Mildred. But I wouldn't have troubled if I hadn't have always thought you had potential.

Agatha: Shut up Delilah!Delilah: Shut up Delilah.

Grand Wizard: You see, you're not the worst witch anymore.

Miss Cackle: So Mildred, what can I do for you?Mildred Hubble: Miss Hardbroom sent me.Miss Cackle: Oh dear. What happened this time?

Grand Wizard: Once in a purple moon, there is a special young witch who shines above the rest. Often she goes unnoticed, because she is always out of step. I have seen this girl trying to fly. Oh yes, I have. I've seen her at play and how her friends treated her. A true witch isn't always one who comes out on top of the tests. A true witch has witchcraft in her at all times, and this is what you have, Mildred Hubble. And so, Ms. Cackle, I ask you to make the rest of the day a half-holiday.

Gallery

Trivia

-The school colours are changed from black and grey to black and orange to reflect the Halloween theme.

-Jill Murphy was disappointed with the film: “It was one of those things that starts up a great hope and bits go wrong. The film was terribly disappointing because it had an appalling script and they made various mess-ups, like with the costumes. When the girls saw the costumes they practically cried because the hats looked ridiculous. Diana Rigg and Tim Curry did their absolute best with weak special effects but they didn’t have very good material.”[1] Murphy was more impressed with with the 1998 TV Series: "I do think that it was basically a good series and people still remember it very fondly"[2]